Although Pteromalus puparum is widely recognized within much of its range as a pupal endoparasitoid of (among others) Papilio demoleus , this has not previously been reported from Cyprus. Here we document the first such record from the island and report on the presence of very large numbers (299) of P . puparum within a single pupa of P . demoleus , most likely resulting from oviposition by several, if not all, seven wasps seen to be attending the larva at the pre-pupal stage. High quality photos of P . puparum from a different study (in the Netherlands) are presented as an aid to recognition of the species. We also report on an unusually cryptic pupal coloration of P . demoleus , resulting from pupation taking place on soil, the pupa having been formed without attachment to any substrate. A perfect female P . demoleus emerged successfully.
John et al. (Fri,) studied this question.